USC Coach Frank Martin looks to win contest for state parenthood group

University of South Carolina men's basketball coach Frank Martin is trying to help the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families through a contest put together by ESPN.

"I'm all about parenthood and the need that kids have for us adults in their life to help guide them, to form them, to shape them, to help put them in a place where they can be one of us one day," said Martin.

The new coach says parenthood has been the greatest gift in the world for him and he called it the "ultimate duty".

Martin grew up without a father, and has been involved in parenthood initiatives for years.

"I didn't have that father in my life growing up, but I can't use that as a crutch to create excuses for failure," said Martin.

Martin believes being a father is an incredible thing, and feels it would be wrong of him to not try and help others understand the beauty of being a parent.

"As a boy, there's only some things I experienced that a man went through," said Martin. "As a boy, you feel more comfortable talking to a man than you do to a woman about certain things, and not having that in your life sometimes makes you think that you gotta keep everything to yourself and not share with people and you're supposed to be emotionless about the experiences that go on in your life and that's the worst thing anyone can ever do."

Florida freshman right-hander Tommy Mace limited LSU to one earned run in seven innings Wednesday night as the Gators edged the Tigers, 4-3, in the second round of the SEC Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

Florida freshman right-hander Tommy Mace limited LSU to one earned run in seven innings Wednesday night as the Gators edged the Tigers, 4-3, in the second round of the SEC Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

With the game knotted at four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, LSU third baseman Jake Slaughter was hit by a pitch to propel the Tigers into the double elimination portion of the SEC Tournament with an 8-5 win against Mississippi State Tuesday night at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

With the game knotted at four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, LSU third baseman Jake Slaughter was hit by a pitch to propel the Tigers into the double elimination portion of the SEC Tournament with an 8-5 win against Mississippi State Tuesday night at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.